CUSCO - THE CAPITAL OF THE ANCIENT INKA EMPIRE
AMAUTA
Spanish School is located in the centre of Cusco, cultural heart
of the Peruvian Andes. Cusco is situated at 3.400 meter above
sea level, surrounded by mountains and valleys. It has a population
of 300,000 inhabitants - most of them indigenous - and has much
beauty to offer: the panorama of the Andes, famous Inca ruins
and the magical town of Machu Picchu.
Everyone who visits Peru inevitably comes to Cusco, one of the
most fascinating cities in the world. The city was founded around
1100 AD. According to the Inca creation myth, the sun sent his son,
Manco Capac, and the Moon her daughter, Mama Occlo, to spread culture
through the barbaric lands. They emerged from the waters of Lake
Titicaca and began their journey in search of the place where they
would found their kingdom. When they reached the site of present-day
Cusco, Manco plunged his golden staff into the ground in order to
test its suitability and it sank deep into the fertile soil. This
was the sign they were looking for. They named this place Cusco,
meaning "the navel of the world'.
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After
the conquest, the Spanish built their colonial churches and houses
on top of the Inca foundations and this fascinating mix of architectural
styles is still much in evidence. The city, the former capital of
the Inca empire, has enough to hold the interest of even the most
demanding of tourists: the convents, the churches, the museums,
the Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral and the ruins in and around
Cusco (Sacsahuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay). Almost every
street has remains of Inca Walls, arches and doorways.
THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INKAS AND MACHU
PICHU
Just outside of Cusco lies the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with
its picturesque villages and colourful traditional Indian markets.
In
the heart of this valley is Urubamba, where AMAUTA offers the opportunity
to study and get immersed in traditional, Peruvian life, far away
from the tourist centres. Visit the beautiful market and superb
ruins in Pisac, the well-preserved Inca town Ollantaytambo with
its impressive fortress and the authentic market at Chincheros.
The Valley runs west all the way to Machu Picchu, Peru's best known
archaeological site. This ancient citadel remains the most spectacular
sight in all the Americas! For centuries it was buried in the jungle,
until this lost Inca town was discovered in 1911. It's the combination
of Inca ruins, unforgettable views, magnificent mountains, exotic
vegetation and extraordinary ecological variety, which make the
Machu Picchu national park truly an experience!
